By Haruna Gimba with agency report
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it will push for a record-high 2024-2025 budget of $6.85 billion in preparation to fight the next global pandemic.
The global health agency, according to a report by Reuters, said it will begin the push for the funds at its board meeting starting January 30th.
According to the WHO, approving this sum would be “a historic move towards a more empowered and independent WHO”, adding that the funds will aid in expanding the agency’s role in tackling the next global health emergency.
As reported by Reuters, the WHO’s Executive Board’s annual meeting will run from January 30 to February 7.
At the meeting, member countries will provide feedback on WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus’ global strategy to strengthen readiness for the next pandemic. This also includes a binding treaty being negotiated at the meeting.
The WHO is facing two key challenges: a world that expects more from it but has not yet proven willing to fund it to tackle those challenges.
Over the years, the WHO has heavily relied on voluntary contributions from governments and private donors which are often earmarked for specific programmes.
Speaking with Reuters ahead of the meeting, WHO’s director for governing bodies, Timothy Armstrong said, “the focus is very much on the programme budget, then sustainable financing.”
He also added that on the list of the programme is also “the position of the World Health Organisation, recognising there is a need for a reinforced central role for WHO” in the global health emergency system.
But the approval of this budget “will require member states to make good on promises made last year to hike mandatory fees.
Recall that in April 2022, member states made a recommendation to increase accessed contribution to 50 per cent to empower WHO and safeguard its unique expertise, mandate and legitimacy.
